The nominations for the 2018 Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday morning (11-28), and among the most nominated names are multiple traditional country and roots music favorites, including Chris Stapleton who comes in with three nominations, tied with award show favorites Little Big Town for the most nominations in the country and roots categories.

Also coming in with two nominations is Miranda Lambert, The Mavericks, Rodney Crowell, Jason Isbell in Americana categories, and a surprising performance by Midland, who also scores two entries in this year’s nominee field. So does Sam Hunt for his commercial powerhouse “Body Like a Backroad.”

Other interesting names from the field of nominees include recently-passed legends Gregg Allman and Glen Campbell, and upstart Brent Cobb.

Country and roots artists this year were locked out of the all genre categories such as Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and New Artist of the Year. Some hoped after entries by both Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson in the categories over the last couple of years, perhaps Jason Isbell would rise up be considered in 2018. But perhaps due to the Grammy’s focus on diversity this year, Isbell didn’t get the nod, nor did he for Best Country Album, instead remaining solidly in his Americana lane.

Yeah for Brent Cobb and Gregg Allman. I’d like to see either one of them take Americana. My guess is that it will be Gregg for a posthumous award, and because it’s a great album. Isbell belongs in Americana, IMO. I’m not surprised he wasn’t up for the all genre. Miranda Lambert was robbed though. It’s in NYC this year so I’ll be attending. Interested to see who performs.

Where’s John Moreland? Such a shame, Big Bad Love was one of my favorite releases last year.

Totally agree that Miranda was robbed. The Weight of These Wings had some stellar material (and a bunch of fluff), it deserves every award, especially over Chesney and Rhett (who is buying that crap!?!)

Not surprised they left Isbell in the Americana category. He took a risk and it artistically is paying off, commercially – I’m sure he doesn’t give a damn about the ATOY, but it would have been fun to watch him on the telecast. Now we’re stuck with a bunch of rap, strobe lights and auto tune.

Looking at the all genre big awards, I’m reminded why I don’t listen to that stuff anymore. No substance.

Totally agree John Moreland is the biggest omission here. Miranda as well, but she did walk away with two nominations, and she’s the most decorated country performer in the last decade. “The Weight of These Wings” definitely deserved a nomination for Best Country Album, but Moreland is the one who put out a career effort, and may never have another opportunity to be honored in this way.

Regardless of the circumstances, “The Weight of These Wings” deserved a nomination. Sure being on WME has helped Miranda. So has the fact that country music can’t develop female talent and Carrie Underwood took time off recently to start a family.

If its so incredible than why can’t Miranda have any hit singles? She hasn’t for years. Since 2011 and that was even thanks to her ex that she even had those. She also did not even write that House song. And Vice was written with 3 other songwriters and it still wasn’t even close to a hit..

“Emphasis on diversity”..wow..well ;put..Is everyone involved in this production a teenager?
Minorities have had a big role in American entertainment for as long as I can remember, all the way back to black and white tv sets,,and before….Every generation likes to think it re-invented the wheel, it seems.

Also, I love how, like the CMAs, the Grammys are attempting to drag Taylor Swift out of her underground bunker (that’s where I’m imagining she is right now; LET ME HAVE THIS) by nominating “Better Man” for Best Country Song. She has made it pretty clear that her public appearances during the reputation album cycle are going to be concert performances and nothing else, so I have a feeling this will be for naught.

Haha, I’d like Miranda to win, of course, but I could see Chris winning and I’d be fine with that.

For the record, I don’t hate Taylor. I have a LOT of things about her that I find irritating (and I like her earlier albums better than her more recent), but I will always acknowledge her strengths in regards to her songwriting, in particular. And really, this song is reminiscent of her earlier work.

I could not more vehemently disagree with that assessment Gabe. This song has a flawed lyric / hook premise from the get-go and the lackluster music cannot redeem it . Indeed ,its mystifying that its being nominated ….except for the very strong possibility, of course , that it was a calculated partnership ( TS and LBT ) to lay the groundwork for TS ‘ country ‘ comeback .

Nashville says, or that WME group she’s apart of, Miranda is the top female though her last album tanked considering how she’s winning awards left and right you’d think her sales and singles on radio would do much better. But she’s not that popular that Nashville is portraying.

Miranda has been replaced. Maren Morris is who they are promoting now. I think Maren is very talented and a great singer. Writes her own songs too. Don’t know if she is WME but she has many hit singles. I think Ashley McBryde is WME. Now she’s very good. Raelynn is WME. Time for a change. Thinking WME might not have as much say now anyway. Although they have pushed Chris Stapleton. Blake is WME too so you would think it would be a conflict to promote Miranda so much over him. One would think.

The omission of Rhiannon Giddens in best Americana album and Miranda Lambert from country album are my only problem with the nominations but I’m extremely happy for the Secret Sisters.. I had to look at the list twice to be sure I was seeing correctly. I didn’t know of them until I read Trigger’s review earlier this year and I decided to check them out.. You Don’t Own Me Anymore is my personal favorite this year. Iron and Wine, UK folk darling Laura Marlin, Aimee Mann and my best non-country album of the year by The War on Drugs(please check them out if you haven’t) are all nominated… The future the truly getting bright for good music.

Most of the country nominations are hilariously bad. Big money, corporate Nashville probably wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be another Sturgill this time around…
Song – Out of that list I’d go with Midland or Miranda, but they wouldn’t even make my list.
Performance – Anybody but Sam Hunt I guess.
Album – This is the real “are you f-ing kidding me?” category for me. KC? LA? LBT? TR? All non-country trash. Stapleton’s album is like nominating the new Star Wars movie for best picture…
Duo/Group – ugh… Midland is the only one I could even tolerate…

Americana includes some really good stuff, though!
All-genre nominations are as big of a joke as country this year.

The all genre is meant to honor the best out of all genres, not just the genres you like. Obviously you aren’t happy with black folks or Muslims being nominated. Fortunately, the Grammy’s aren’t trying to please racists.

The best of all music is mostly black?
Cat Stevens is a shady personality. Criminals & people who support crime should be not nominated for an award. But the Grammys & the left wings have no boundaries.

I agree with you OlaR. Too many hip hop and urban nominations for my taste. I am all for some diversity but this is too much. Just dont like hip hop but the younger kids do. Love Bruno Mars though. He deserves any award he gets. Pink and Ed Sheeran are good too.

While I’m no hip-hop fan myself and can’t stand “Despacito”, the fact that you used the word “black” instead of “hip-hop” seems to speak volumes about your character. Not being a WASSP (White Anglo-Saxon Straight Protestant) in no way ought to disqualify an artist from a nomination or award; nor does a song being in a language other than English (”

As far as not giving awards to those who commit crimes, Randy Travis, Wynonna Judd, Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, to name just a few country legends, have all been arrested… does that mean they should never be eligible for another award, or that any awards they have been given ought to be rescinded? And as for Cat Stevens, there is no concrete proof that he ever supported terrorist activities knowingly, unless by “criminal” you’re referring to his being Muslim in the first place.

Man…ain’t that the truth Scotty…? This is the biggest argument for the existence of serious payola since TS , in my opinion . That is the ONLY way this ‘act’ can still be on the map at all . They are all over the map with their musical direction , they have no vision , no unique character as a band and no business in a country genre whatsoever. None . They are an MOR act at best and would never cut it as a pop act under any circumstances. Who the hell buys their albums ?….the songs are desperate and completely forgettable attempts to be all things to all people and wind up being 3 and a half minutes of wasted time .

Their albums are being bought by a “pop” audience just like 90 percent of today’s “country” acts. These acts nor their fans care for genuine country music but because they are Nashville based they are “country”. The CMA is as much to blame for this as anybody.

I’m sure that in 2017 NOBODY is interested in listening to a whole Lady A or Kenny Chesney album.
I can understand people would listen to Thomas Rhett’s atrocity because he is very popular (even though he sucks), but Lady A and Kenny? I’m baffled they edged out Miranda.

Wins for them would be sweet, I think — though I suspect Gregg Allman may be the sentimental favorite in both their categories, and Jason Isbell the popular / critical fave. But anyway, those are the races (Americana and American Roots) I’m most excited about; I’m pretty much out of the loop now when it comes to the major categories. 😀

I am just glad Miranda didn’t get nominated for best album cause she did not deserve it. Very overrated both as a singer and songwriter. Miranda won’t win the 2 other awards she is nominated for cause Tin Man is just an awful song. Kenny Chesney recorded a Tin Man song years ago and its better. I can not figure out how she ever won as many awards as she did but I suspect who she was married to at the time helped her. Miranda also has a poor attitude and is just not likeable except for her few fans who seem to be just like her. Have a Bad Attitude. A good example is her and her boyfriend s nastiness towards Garth Brooks online. She was just mad she didn’t win best CMA album. Sore loser. I think this ends the awards for Miranda. I dont care who else wins as long as she doesn’t. I am not the only one that feels this way about Miranda. That’s for sure.

Yep. Hasn’t even bothered to acknowledge her 2 nominations. Very ungrateful. That’s because she only wanted album of the year nom. She knows she won’t win anything for those other noms too. She didn’t even win a CMA except for best female. So spoiled. Everyone saw those nasty tweets she liked and her comments on Garth lip syncing . She was mad she didn’t get CMA album of the year and I would bet she knew at that point she wasn’t going to get the grammy nod for album of the year. Just who does she think she is ? Please. She should feel lucky and grateful that she ever won any awards .

Why is everyone surprised Miranda wasn’t nominated? She didn’t win the CMAs either. Outside of the Nashville bubble many considered her album meh. Like the Times said just because you put out a double album doesn’t mean it’s art. I think someone here made a good point. There were handful of good songs. Then fluff. So not surprised. Oh. And someone should let the Tennessean know Tim and Faiths album wasn’t eligible. So it wasn’t “snubbed”. You would think a newspaper would have that info available. But glad to see Kendrick Lamar nominated. Hopefully better Country Albums this next year.

Miranda has a small but very vocal fanbase online. Some would say obnoxious and I would not disagree. I don’t get the support of her album. It’s baffling to me. So so many other more deserving country music artists . Both male and female. Miranda and her fans were fine as long as she kept winning. Seriously. That’s not even fair or realistic.

Well, most of this sucks, but that Infamous Stringdusters album is brilliant, I’m glad to see it nominated. Miranda should have a nomination as many have said, and when was the last time the CMA album category looked better than these?

Agree 100% on the Brent Cobb nod. For me, one of the best albums of the year. I’ve listened to that album more than a lot and it never seems to get old. Must’ve just hit me right, at the right time in my life. I know it’s not the best album of all time ever, but I love it. The grammys and I don’t normally see eye to eye, so I’m pleasantly surprised to see him on there. He’s still relatively unknown in my neck of the woods, as much as I .proselytize about the album. That tour with Stapleton must’ve done something to move the needle. Good for him, bad for me. Next time he comes to town, he’ll be at a big venue.

I’m just glad the Grammy voters remembered her (didn’t ‘Windy City’ come out kinda early in the year?), but then I seem to recall they’ve liked her a lot in the past. But yeah, I love her recording of “Losing You,” and “I Never Cared for You” is a cool pick for American Roots Performance (too bad she’s up against both Leonard Cohen and Glen Campbell for that one…).

So, if you are writing a song and want to be nominated for “song of the year”, find at least 4 other friends to write with. You’re 80% more likely to be nominated if 4 or more people write that song together. Good to know.

If I don’t get this off my chest SOMEWHERE I may explode and cause a mess.
Finally listened to Shelton’s latest ” Toxicoma ” …..OMG what a glowing toxic turd this thing is .I thought maybe the ” Dogs” single held something interesting in store for the record .Nope ….nada …a waste of time for everyone and anyone associated with this thing . It is soooo bloody calculated to hit every ‘hip’ , trendy mark musically ( and I use THAT term loosely) and lyrically . This is nursery rhyme-city…desperate in every way to please radio …bro as shit …boring as shit , generic as shit and shittier than shit . If someone said the man recorded it on his lunch hour break from THE VOICE , I’d say they were lying . I don’t think this took anywhere NEAR an hour .
There……I feel cleansed . Carry on .

I totally disagree. Blakes new album Texoma Shore will be both a commercial and artistic success. Critics will like this album too. Just wait and see. By chance did you listen to” I lived it”? Mark my words that will be a big country hit. Give it an unbiased listen. But all Blake does is have hit singles anyway. Ill name the dogs is already a big hit. He easily has numerous hits off the album.

I’m not saying BS won’t have hits from the album . In fact I think I said the opposite . This thing is completely geared to the trends radio loves . My point is that its a terrible record in terms of having anything fresh …anything of substance ….anything different . He’s a trend-chaser….not an artist with anything to say or any vision ( Stapleton , Sturgil , Miranda , Kacey , ) . The album is generic , derivative ,and does not challenge him vocally whatsoever. Its a borefest, for my money , and as such its perfect as musical wallpaper for mainstream ‘country’ radio .

I think obviously everyone has different tastes in music. I get you arent a fan. Thats OK. Blake appeals to a much broader fan base than just country fans which is a good thing for him. Im just glad he released new music and moved past the divorce. I honestly think Ashley McBryde and Maren Morris are better than (in my opinion) over rated Miranda. I do like Kacey. I also like Kelsea Ballerini and Lauren Alaina which I would guess you would not. Reba is still great. Time for new country females to win awards and be promoted. Time for change.

Its not so much whether I like something or not …I really love Kelsea’s material ….I’m a HUGE Maren Morris fan ….just ask all of my ‘former’ friends who got tired of me constantly singing her praises . The problem is that these folks are NOT country artists …they are good pop artists. POP ! The fact that they get played on a country station means that a REAL country artist doesn’t get that airtime …that exposure . We don’t get to hear Alan Jackson , Cody Johnson, even Reba or Ashley McBryde because POP MUSIC PERMEATES ” country ” radio. And much of it is BAD pop music …..Blake’s music , in my not -so -humble opinion , is fake everything . He’s a jingle singer …not an artist by any stretch . The mandate of this site is to SAVE COUNTRY MUSIC ….not POP music masquerading as country music .

Your name ( New Country Fan) says it all . There’s a lot of folks coming to ‘country ‘ radio believing they are listening to COUNTRY music and perhaps you’re one ..? That is NOT country music , with very few exceptions . Educate yourself to the traditions of the genre and you’ll understand the frustration and disappointment so many of us feel about LOSING a unique art form to a young un-informed pop-centric demographic .

Yep. Albert I do “get” what this site is all about. And I would guess that my musical tastes don’t match many here. I do like what is referred to as country pop music. Not afraid to admit it at all. But Blake s not pop country IMO. Luke and Thomes Rhett might be and I like them. Blake does deserve more credit than he gets by some by bringing many new country fans into country music. No I will never like everyone who you do in country but I do love Maren and yep Ashley. I just think Miranda is extremely over rated and unlikable to many. Why not promote Maren and Ashley and Raelynn instead of Miranda? ? Blake is fine. He needs no promo. He’s now an international country music superstar whether some like it or not.

I’m guessing it will be Jason Isbell or Gregg Allman for the Americana Grammy. The King of Americana or the recently deceased legend. On the merits, I think Isbell should win, although I think Southern Blood is a fine album. For starters, I think he absolutely nailed Muddy Waters’s I Love the Life I Live. I would have liked to have seen that one nominated for best roots performance. It’s amazing to me how good his voice is throughout that album, given how ill he was.

Robert Cray’s Hi Rhythm is a fine album and easily his best in over a decade. TajMo is probably my most disappointing album purchase of 2017. I’m a big fan of both of them, but had passed on a few of Keb Mo’s albums because I thought he was going more in the adult contemporary direction than blues. I mean, he never was gutbucket blues, but his first few albums had a good amount of juice to them and he’s a good songwriter. He won me back to some extent with BluesAmericana and so I was hoping the pairing with the great Taj Mahal would be an even more exciting blues effort. Not so much. More like safe space blues/adult contemporary.

The Rolling Stones got a Traditional Blues Album nomination for Blue and Lonesome. I’m guessing they’ll win because they’re The Stones. It is a very good album, though. First new Stones album I’ve wanted to buy since Some Girls.

The omission of John Moreland is like Isbell’s Southeastern getting passed over. Egregious, yet expected. Rhiannon Giddens getting no nominations is just puzzling. She has a fairly high roots music profile now. And Freedom Highway is a very strong effort. I would have thought she’d get at least one nomination in a roots/folk/Americana song, performance or album category.

One more thing. Eilen Jewell’s Down Hearted Blues is in my top five for 2017 and I think it’s worthy of a traditional blues nomination. Great song selecton. Also, quite the showcase for Jerry Miller guitar playing.

I felt like the Grammys were a big play for Eilen making that blues record. Not that she didn’t want to make it otherwise, but just with the timing of the release etc., that was a big home from that camp and I thought there was a good chance we would see a nomination. Both Keb and Taj are legends, but that nomination feels like they’re nominating names instead of music.

”The Rolling Stones got a Traditional Blues Album nomination for Blue and Lonesome. I’m guessing they’ll win because they’re The Stones. It is a very good album, though. First new Stones album I’ve wanted to buy since Some Girls’

Yes……this is a bloody good record , Jack ( and others ) ….faith-restoring-ly honest in these manufactured-music times ….but also just fun fun fun top to bottom hearing these veterans nail the vibe top to bottom .

The RG snub is especially baffling to me — especially given the year she’s had (including the MacArthur Grant and her run on CMT’s ‘Nashville’), the sheer quality of and critical acclaim for ‘Freedom Highway,’ her past nominations, and the emphasis on diversity in this year’s major categories.

I totally disagree. Blakes new album Texoma Shore will be both a commercial and artistic success. Critics will like this album too. Just wait and see. By chance did you listen to” I lived it”? Mark my words that will be a big country hit. Give it an unbiased listen. But all Blake does is have hit singles anyway. Ill name the dogs is already a big hit. He easily has numerous hits off the album.

When Thomas Rhett gets an album nomination over the likes of Miranda Lambert then you know something is wrong, Grammy people. What. The. Heck. Granted, I know there were criticisms about The Weight of These Wings’ double disc being unnecessarily long, that it could’ve been made a stronger 1-disc album by shaving off a few songs, but it is still miles better than Thomas Rhett’s pop garbage. I’m no Miranda fan, but I think she deserves the slot more than Rhett and Kenny Chesney.

Do you realize Kenny has never won a Grammy and Miranda already has? Blake has never won a Grammy. I could go on and on naming very deserving country music artists that have never won a Grammy. Kenny and Rhett do deserve it cause they have wider mass appeal than Miranda will ever have. Miranda and her fans should appreciate and be grateful for the Grammys she won in the past and didn’t deserve as her time winning awards is up. There is no longer just a female category at the Grammys so she’s done. Also her fans nastiness online on Twitter and Facebook towards Gwen and Blake that she and her team encourages have done her more harm than good with the Nashville music community . They notice. Miranda showed her true colors when she was so negative online towards Garth Brooks and other country music artists online.

Eric Church has never won a Grammy. Sure some here like him. I believe you should have both commercial and artistic success to win awards like a Grammy. Just my opinion. Although artistic success is subjective and some critics are just harsh on some artists that don’t like. The music industry is after all a “business.” They need and want to make money. Chris Stapleton has both now. Commercial and artistic success although I am not a big fan. Miranda has not had a hit single in 7 years and Nashville music industry has thrown a ton of money and promotion her way. Thousands of dollars that other country artists both male and female deserved.